1 March 2001
Minister refuses to believe official stats
The Minister of Commerce Paul Swain has refused to believe official figures which show producer prices are continuing to
rise, National's Compliance Cost spokesperson Warren Kyd said today.
"It was an extraordinary scene during Question time in Parliament today, in which Mr Swain said my statement about
rising producer costs under Labour was untrue. The truth is I was merely a messenger of some less than welcome news.
"Figures released by Statistics New Zealand yesterday showed output and input prices both increased in the December 2000
quarter, according to the Producers Price Index (PPI).
"This is not a one off. Prices have increased for seven consecutive quarters in a row, but Labour doesn't want to hear
about it. What's more, they didn't even let me table the document of proof in the House today so they could see for
themselves.
"I demand an apology from Paul Swain. He is the one misleading the public, not me!" Warren Kyd said.
Ends